Projects Books

The Head Trip is an excellent survey of consciousness exploration, and it reads well as both thoughtful introduction and detailed analysis. Jeff Warren approaches these interrelated subjects with a carefully balanced blend of engaging subjectivity, open scientific inquiry, honest skepticism and playful humor. The book has much to offer both to those who are new to thinking about the nature of the mind, and to those long experienced in investigating the various states of consciousness available to all of us. With roots in a long literary tradition and continuous reference to current scientific study, Warren embarks on an admirable attempt to get his head around his own head, and his thoroughly researched journeys are rich with insight and provocative potential.

The book's trajectory extends through hypnagogia, circadian rhythms, sleep and dreams, trance, hypnosis, biofeedback and meditation. Warren entertains many of the tangled philosophical quandaries that naturally arise without ever drifting into the new age fru-fru with which these subjects are so often embraced. In fact he is distinctly aware of this tendency and circumvents it by consistently introducing fresh approaches to thinking, yet at one point still manages to have an engaging conversation with an imaginary Rastafarian Buddha in the process. This book is like a user's manual for your mind, and it's a lot of fun to read. Warren writes of his own experiences with the self-effacing candor of a skilled journalist, and his personal successes and failures will be immediately and empathetically recognizable to anyone who's ever attempted to explore the mind, which, in one way or another, is all of us.

The chapters on sleep and circadian rhythms are unexpectedly insightful. The later chapters on biofeedback and meditative absorption are more technical and demand the attention of the reader, but The Head Trip is well organized, consistently grounded and totally readable from start to finish. Warren's journey carries him eventually to a confrontation with his own suffering --perhaps the deepest motivation for consciousness exploration afterall-- and one hopes that his trials are ultimately as beneficial for him as they promise to be for the reader. As the Buddha, speaking in a tranquil Rastafarian droll, might encourage, Take this trip, mon. `Tis a mighty good one, jah yes...

Books on dreams and dreaming seem to fall into one of two types. Either it's an academic study with white-coated researchers measuring brain waves and chemistry, or it's personal accounts with perhaps a bit of counselling thrown in to establish credibility. Jeff Warren has made a sincere effort to combine these two methods. He's interviewed a number of brain/consciousness researchers as well as undergoing their testing procedures. The result is a highly personalised account of dreaming research as it stands today.

Don't be put off by the "pop-psych" title. Warren makes a serious attempt to bring to the lay reader some of the issues in consciousness studies. Except that much of this work involves the periods when we're not "conscious". His mechanism is to provide readers with a breakdown of consciousness, which he depicts as a wheel. A neat dozen segments are portrayed representing the chapter subjects to follow. The topics are enhanced with images of "passports" to explain where you are going and something of what you will learn. The passport gives the name of the topic, how to go there, what you might find and a personal example. "Passport" may be misleading - it's not a trip to a physical segment of the brain you are undertaking, but a tour of a condition.

The conditions have been the subject of many studies in recent years. Although much of the narrative is a list of Warren's personal experiences, those events have been done with the assistance of brain scientists. Warren carefully recounts the various theses proposed about what the brain is doing during sleep, dreaming, in "trance" state and other periods when it's more-or-less operating on automatic pilot. Many researchers are delving into these conditions from various perspectives, offering fresh insights and conclusions, although definitive theories remain elusive. It takes a book such as this to begin synthesizing the wide spectrum of ideas and proposals to begin formulating meaningful answers.

Active conscious states are a different topic, well covered, as Warren notes, elsewhere. There is also the issue of recording "events" or impressions gained during the various sleep or semi-conscious states. "Subjective science" becomes the knee-jerk response by some, who are generally attempting to dismiss this sort of research. As Warren reminds us, however, "subjective" accounts of what goes on in the brain during sleep is all we have. Measuring brain waves and neurochemistry tells us something of where in the brain changes occur and how intense those changes are, but only the subject can tell us what they perceive. Inadequate or not, we must use the tools available, and the subject of the experiment is the best one we have.

Warren, in order to demonstrate that fact, puts himself as the subject of many experiments related here. It is hoped the reader can at least identify with his concerns and disappointments, but clearly not all of the "tests" are likely to be repeated by a single individual. It's also apparent that the "ground state" of each reader will differ from every other, something Warren touches on too lightly to suit this reviewer. One topic that eludes him entirely is the non-dreamer. As one who has had no more than a dozen remembered dreams since childhood, much of this book remained elusive. I simply had no idea what the author, or even many of his scientific contributors were talking about. The chapter on "lucid dreaming" - dreams in which you are conscious of dreaming - seemed the height of fantasy. What is the state of research into brains that don't appear to dream, or fail to remember any that take place?

In a couple of chapters in the book, Warren delves into a "mind-body problem". However, the "problem" is one of his own devising - how do unconscious but impressionable states cause physiological changes in the body? The chapter on hypnosis is one of these, in which the author claims that women in the US have enlarged their breasts by a "group average of 1.37 inches [3.47 centimetres]". While there have been many researchers looking into brain-body interactive pathways, Warren either ignores them or hasn't heard of them [i.e., Antonio Damasio is mentioned because one of Warren's interviewees had a copy on a shelf, but V.S. Ramachandran isn't present anywhere here]. Nonetheless, like so many works on related topics available today, Warren's book raises many issues that demand attention. Neither his book nor the work of those he relates can be ignored nor dismissed as "soft science". These are the plans and bricks needed to build the edifice we call the "mind". Understanding that is essential to our comprehension of what we are as a species. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

The concepts here may not be new for those who've gone of the way to get experienced with their consciousness, but the level of detail (dig that bibliography!) and attention to recent developments in various fields -- sleep science, neurofeedback, even hypnosis -- is enough to inspire all sorts of new inquiry.

For the "layperson," however, or "non-freak," this condenses what it took your average freak ten years of living to explore and confirm on his own. Read it and save yourself the time!

This one was fun; and it really changed the way I think about consciousness. The author is very entertaining, and the style and delivery of the content is unique. The fact that he did all of these things himself (experimentally) added a whole new level to this book's importance. If it had just been a dry documentary, it wouldn't have been the same.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who's willing to take a wild journey into themselves, and who isn't afraid to change the way they see the world around them (or dream it!).

There has over the past few decades been an increasing interest in something which we all take for granted: consciousness. Just how the inert molecules in the brain manage to make us conscious, or just what consciousness is, or what the different states of consciousness are, hits on huge questions within philosophy and neurology, questions that remain mysterious. To heck with all the mystery; let's just have some fun! That seems to be the attitude of Jeff Warren, a writer and broadcaster who specializes in science themes, in _The Head Trip: Adventures on the Wheel of Consciousness_ (Random House). Not to be too grandiose: in the illustrations in the book, that's the "Wheel O' Consciousness". Warren sets out to pursue consciousness, not just the waking, sleeping, and dreaming that we all go through (although his nocturnal adventures are among the most interesting), but also hypnosis and meditation and more. He does have fun throughout, and doesn't mind telling us about it in jocular, enthusiastic prose (and his own cartoon illustrations), although anyone who thinks about consciousness for a long time will wind up, well, thinking about it for a long time. There is thus a lot here to chuckle over and to contemplate.

Just dreaming is not enough. Warren has to pursue different types of dreaming, like hypnagogic dreams, the ones that last a few minutes just as you are falling into sleep. Warren writes about how to use hypnagogia for problem solving, and it produced the idea of this book, but some of the ideas he had were real lemons ("... this isn't magic, it's still your fallible human brain operating.") In a lucid dream, you know you are dreaming and you can play around in the dream world, pushing it to do what you want. But Warren himself has some difficulty with manipulating a character in a specific dream; conjuring up a dream meeting with a long-ago crush, he scoops her into his arms to find, "It was like kissing a zombie. Her head lolled to the side and her eyes were blank. Man, my characters were terrible, what the hell was wrong with me? I was disgusted with myself. No wonder I wrote nonfiction." Warren goes to investigate "The Watch", a period of wakefulness in the middle of the night that might be the natural pattern of sleeping given to us by our tribal days. He tries hypnosis, he investigates daydreaming (yes, some scientific research has been done on daydreaming), and of course he gets hooked up to a biofeedback (or more specifically neurofeedback) machine. He goes to a seven-day Buddhist meditation retreat, and reports on all the paradoxes he finds in "the experience of no experience".

Warren doesn't do drugs. Or at least none of the chapters here is devoted to any sort of illicit experimentation, but during his neurofeedback phase, "One friend remarked that I seemed more relaxed, but that may have been because I was drunk at the time." Almost all the conscious states here are available to anyone, although like Warren you might have to invest time and money to find the particular expert to bring the state on. The appeal of this funny and informative book is best when it throws light on states like sleep and dreams and daydreams, states which all of us go though and to which few of us pay as much obsessive attention as Warren has. "We can learn to direct our own states of consciousness," he insists, and he has demonstrated the truth of this astonishing fact in his researches. We might not all learn to do so, but we would be wise to attend and celebrate states with the jubilation and delight that Warren presents to us.

If you've ever had an experience of what seemed like an after-death communication, you know it's something you will remember and wonder about for the rest of your life. Yet there are few people to talk to about such a thing, particularly when you aren't sure if it's possible, even though it happened....The Guggenheims have collected true stories from reliable, stable people for many years and compiled those stories into an enjoyable, fascinating book. No matter what you believe or don't, as human dramas these stories can stand on their own. If you have had an experience or two, you may be stunned to find that it falls into a category of similar types of experiences that others share. Give yourself the gift of learning more about this compelling research, and about the struggle we all share to make sense of experiences that fall outside the norm, yet inside the heart.

After the sudden loss of my brother in 1997 I started reading everything I could get my hands on trying to find comfort and healing. This book provided just that. Believing myself that life does in fact go on this book warms your heart with very personal experiences from others that have experienced a loss.

This book offers peace and hope to everyone. The information flows beautifully. Well researched and lovingly written. An extremely important book for anyone dealing with loss

This book gives so much hope to those who are mourning the loss of a loved one. Whether or not one has had an ADC experience, reading this book will not only help you to get through the grief, it may also help you to put aside the nagging question of "will I ever see my loved one again?"

This book is wonderful. It provides hope and comfort for those who have lost someone dear to them. The author sensitively embraces a subject which is controversial. It is an inspiring read. Just beautiful.

Stevie wants a new bridle, Carole wants a set of horse videos and Lisa wants a pair of half chaps. But they're moneyless and when Veronica buys the bridle that Stevie wanted, Stephanie Lake starts scheming (which she is famous for.) None of the jobs seem right, until Deborah's high-maintance Aunt comes for a visit. Stevie offers herself and the rest of the saddle club up as Horse-Sitters. While Max cowers at every word Aunt Eugenia says, the saddle club is exhausting themsleves taking care of "Aunt Genies" precious "Honeybee", a dressage horse, a tennessee walker, a bunch of expensive polo ponies and an iguana! And then during a very important tea party, a horse goes missing, Aunt Eugenia's precious Honeybee! Will the saddle club ever get they're bridle, videos and chaps? Will they find Honeybee in time? Will aunt genie ever leave? Will Max ever stand up to Aunt Genie? Read and find out!

This is my favorite Saddle Club book ever! Stevie Lake, Lisa Atwood, and Carole Hanson are just plain broke! And they die after going to a horse store. Stevie, well knowingly got carried away and blabbed around with a horse-sitting business. And WAY too carried away! Veronica also pitched in blabbing around with 6 polo ponies to get watched. Wait until you see how they manage! :) I love this book! I definatly recomend it!

I guess it was pretty good, but it was kind of a mixture of a couple of the earlier books. It was fun how they wanted this stuff and how Veronica bought the bridle that Stevie wanted. But it was kind of monotonous. They were endlessly working and so on, great, but not awesome. This was a pretty good, and funny book, but definetly NOT Bonnie Brayant's best.

This is the first Saddle Club Book I have read and it is still one of my favorites and I own over 40 of the books. After reading this book I went out to get more and it basically got me into this series and now I am hooked! This book is full of crazy plans and crazy buisness deals and there is also a little bit of pay back to Veronica!

Lisa,Stevie and Carole are broke!Then Stevie comes up with one of her wild schemes.Carole and Lisa end up helping Stevie and the three become 'Horsesitters'. The part we enjoyed most was when Honeybee,the great Palomino,went missing and Lisa and Deborah tried to make an excuse for Aunt Eugenia and her old fogey friends.Then as suddenly as she disappears,Honeybee turns up again. The other part we enjoyed was : Stevie watched, dumbfounded,as Veronica pulled out a credit card and paid."I can't believe it,"she whispered to her friends."She's buying MY bridle!It's just not fair." "She's just doing it to make you mad,"Carole whispered soothingly. "Well,it's working,"Stevie snapped.She glowered at Veronica,but the other girl didn't even glance at The Saddle Club as she took the bag from the clerk and sauntered out of the store. "What a jerk,"Lisa said when Veronica had gone.

I picked up this book on a whim when I saw it on display. Did not know the author or any of her other books. Two days later I had the chance to meet Tina Ferraro at a Borders book signing. Great lady, great book. I enjoyed every page. For adults who like YA like myself, this book was entertaining, and a fun read. I would definitely recommend it. I immediately picked up her first novel Top Ten Uses for an Unworm Prom Dress. More on that later.

money, that is. If it did, Kate DelVecchio would be a happy camper. Kate would do just about anything to earn five thousand dollars so that her parents give her control of her college savings, even if it means giving dating advice when she can't figure out her own love life. You'll love this sweet tale of a girl who learns that money isn't everything!

At the young age of seventeen, Kate DelVecchio is determined to make a million dollars before she turns twenty. And only after this has been completed will she let herself think about starting a relationship or a family; she doesn't want to end up like her mother. However, Kate somehow becomes the hottest guy in school's date to the sports banquet, to her surprise and that of the entire school. No one understands how Kate was able to hook such a hottie, but they figure she must've don't something right so they start coming to her for advice on how to hook their own hotties - for a fee of course. And thus Kate finds herself developing a Six-Point Plan for her new business and even closer to her goal. But when it comes to hotties, will Kate follow her own advice?

How to Hook a Hottie was a cute, short, and romantic book. I will admit I didn't really like Kate's character towards the beginning of the novel, mostly because she was way too focused on cash, but as the story progressed, she grew on me. I especially liked how she came through in the end. I thought it was funny how Kate didn't realize what she really wanted (not her life plan) even when it was right in front of her, and I was glad that she wised up. My favorite part of this novel, though, was the hottie-hooking tips. Some of them were pretty random, and I have yet to test their effectiveness, but they did add humor to the story. All this made How to Hook a Hottie a very enjoyable story.

If you're looking for a fast and fun read, I recommend How to Hook a Hottie. I look forward to reading Tina Ferraro's other novel, Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress, as well as her upcoming one, The ABC's of Kissing Boys.

Kate Delvecchio has a one-track mind: make a million before she hits twenty. Her kickstart to this plan involves earning five grand by graduation and earning straight As her senior year, so she can convince her parents that she doesn't need college to succeed. Not because her mom bailed on the family to pursue a PhD in Germany. Really.

So, Kate's raking in weekly bucks toting a twelve year old (boy can I sympathize with her on that hardship!) to and from skating practice, but she'll still wind up a thou short. When a disastrous situation--i.e. being forced to go out with the star baseball player just so she can get their Chem work done--turns into an Ideal Opportunity--i.e. classmates lining up to pay her (yes, pay her) to hook them up with their crushes--she doesn't need The Donald to tell her what to do.

But Kate doesn't take into account that people don't always act in accordance to spreadsheets and hexagon charts, and soon her Ideal Opportunity is turning into a complete mess. With her at the bottom of the social pile. Thankfully she has her best friend Dal--Jason Dalrymple--to pull her back onto her feet.

Kate starts off in a world that makes perfect sense. Except for the missing mom, the snotty twelve year old, the unwanted jock boyfriend, and the jealousy over the best friend's overnights to visit his girlfriend. Wait, did Kate think her world made sense? By the end, she learns that not everything of value can be tabulated in a ledger and sometimes you have to stop reacting to the actions of others in order to make your own place in the world.

Ferraro hits another homerun--oops, ixnay on the aseballbay alktay--with HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE. It's fun, fast-paced, with characters you'll root for and a romance you'll be dying to see finally happen.

When Kate DelVecchio hooks her own high school Hottie, she shoots to popularity and also nabs the wisdom to make some serious cash by graduation. All she has to do is help her peers find their romantic match. With a mom MIA and a money-making goal, Kate's got it all under control with the help of her best pal, Jason "Dal" Dalrymple, who swears their flying by the seat of their pants. But this new biz can't be as hard as landing straight As and studying all those business books, right?? With more clients than she can handle, and a topic she's not exactly an expert on, Kate soon realizes maybe money isn't all its cracked up to be.

Tina Ferraro once again gives readers a smooth entertaining read with her engaging voice and delightful characters. HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE has a business-savvy heroine, a sweet first love that blossoms from a childhood friendship, and one very cool Six-Point Plan. You'll want to hook this novel for your keeper shelf!

This is a must have for every quilter's library. Jan has done it again.

The possibilities are available for every type of quilter. This book is a must in your patchwork library.

As with her first book, Lone Star Quilts and Beyond, Jan takes a traditional pattern and turns it into something beyond what the ordinary quilter has imagined. Her instructions are easy to follow, and if you don't like one method of block assembly, she gives five others to choose from. Not only does she make the piece work simple, she offers an inspiring gallery of Hunter Star quilts, certain to appeal to both the traditionalist and the art quilter, the beginner and the professional. Like they say in the movies, I give this "two thumbs up" along with the traditional 5 star rating. You won't be disappointed.

I saw Jan Krentz on HGTV's "Simply Quilts" and so I bought the book. The Hunter Star pattern is beautiful and Jan has several methods for putting the quilt together: paper piecing method, strip piecing method, fusing method, and colorwash method. Beautifully illustrated too with clear instructions plus lots of pictures of finished quilts for inspiration.

I love that this book has instructions for several techniques to build the Hunter Star as well as wonderful color photos of completed projects. It is one of the clearest how-to books I have ever read and used!

I am using this book to give my students ideas on what they can do to make a difference in our community.

This is an excellent book for both parents and kids and even teachers.
There are lots of ideas for everyone and the nice thing about it is that this book is easy to read and understand.
We need more books like this one.
Hats off to the author.

This book provides ideas for students, teachers and parents who want to make a difference but are not sure where to start.

This book was very helpful to me as I explained to my daughter about being a good person of service. The project ideas seem to relate well to the interest of kids and many can be done by the kids themselves. Other projects will require adult help.

I think this book is very good. As we read through the book, my daughter had many questions, as well as suggestions and modifications for certain projects. It was very thought provoking and inspiring.

This is a quick and easy to read book, equally valuable for parents, teachers and kids. It's absolutely filled with fantastic ideas, some of which can be implemented almost immediatly, while some will take a bit longer. Great resource for teaching responsibility and community service!

What a great book. I don't knit but my wife does. In any case, KDK is something special for Roller Derby fans. And ff you aren't a fan there are pages dedicated to explaining Roller Derby. Most people have preconceived notions that it's just WWF on skates (It's REALLY NOT!)
Each project in the book is modeled by a member of the Naptown Roller Girls Tornado Sirens. Each girl is also treated to a small informative bio too. (who knew Kitiara was a silver medalist in the World Police and Fire Games!?)
For those of you looking for unique and interesting knitting projects this IS the the book for you. Sweaters, hats, mittens and a beverage holder with a built in glove to keep the drink cold and the hand warm!
Fun stuff! For all of its content, this book is a steal!

This is so different from the knitting books I remember from 30 years or so ago, when they were boring patterns that assumed everyone lived a Ken and Barbie life. They remind me a little of the Alice Starmore knitting books and especially the Celtic collection in that they explaini a little of the culture in addition to offering knitting patterns from that culture. With the Starmore books I own, they're all wearing apparrel and sylistic. With these, I've got some things to wear and a few things to knit for practical uses.

I'm no roller girl, but I am over 50 and I can see lots of practical uses for some of those injury-related knitting projects. I wish I'd had that pea bag pattern when I had knee surgery a couple of years ago.

To quote a friend of mine who doesn't knit or like roller derby but who read the book: What a fun book!

How can you go wrong with a book like this? It has more action than any 'craft' book I have ever read before. It gives readers/knitters a great insight on the girls of the Tornado Sirens/Naptown Roller Girls league as well as some really awesome knitting crafts. I am a Fresh Meat knitter myself and it didn't leave me in the penalty box for finishing a project! There are projects for all levels of knitters.
Even my mother-in-law loved the vast variety of projects offered and the great insiders viewpoint on Roller Derby! It did however, concern her a bit about my safety when she saw all the slings, pillows and crutch pads! Knit & Skate on!

Roller Derby and knitting? What an awesome pair! This book is fun, witty and the pictures are great. The patterns are truly original and I can't wait to try them out.

P.S. Support your local roller derby league. The ladies of roller derby are truly some of the coolest people you will ever meet!

WOW! Being a huge fan of knitting, and the various social off-shoot knitting circles that evolve from one of the most unlikely of fiber skills, I naturally had to scoop this one up. And I am so glad I did!

This book was great for two reasons:

1) the knitting of course, the patterns are fun and quirky (ex. frozen peas, a fun knit icepack cozy to wrap around boo-boos.) but really well done. Joan of Dark and her Roller girls takes their knitting seriously but enjoy every stich.

2) The entire aspect, a general history and cultural signifigance of Roller Derby is explained in such a way I was aching to dig out my old skates and join up!

Seriously, this book was so much more than I expected. A fun knittng book and a fun Roller Derby book successfully rolled (no pun intended) into one, as unlikely as that may be.

This book is filled with GREAT information for anyone interested in working with various 'toys' for Linux. I was privileged in being part of a class presented by Tom Weeks in regards to MythTV (he assisted with the chapter in the book) and it is great information!

If you are interested in getting the latest information for various additions to your Linux box, then this is a must-have. If you are even interested in any extra features you can configure on your Linux box then you will not be disappointed!

WARNING: Your pocket book might suffer after reading this book from all the new hardware you want to buy!

You can make really useful things based on the Linux OS, and this book makes it easy! Highly recommended!

Readers of this book will find it VERY well written. It appeals to everyone, from those more proficient in Linux, to those (like myself) who are still learning. I'd highly recommend this book!

This book clearly explains the details needed to accomplish all projects.

I recently saw Tom Weeks do a Myth TV presentation where you can build your own Linux based PVR, which is covered in his chapter written in this book. This is a great resource for the computer hobbyist, amateur or enthusiast of gadget-lover! Easy to follow and fun to read!

I love this book! It provides clear, step-by-step directions for a large number of projects, many of which are unique, and most of which will become family heirlooms. They vary in complexity (so some will be perfect for virtually every age of chiild). There were several I want to make for myself -- e.g., memory jars, made by covering a container with modeling compound and sticking charms and other saved treasures into the clay, so they will harden there. Although I seem to buy every craft magazine and book on the market, that's the only place I've ever seen this particular project.

My one and only quibble is with the title. IMHO, this would be equally appropriate for fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, grandparents/aunts/uncles/teachers and any boy or girl -- as well as making things for oneself. Somehow, I'd feel funny giving parents of three sons (no daughters) a book with this title -- yet it would be absolutely perfect for them, as well as for almost anyone with children and/or a desire to preserve traditions/souvenirs.

I recently received Mothers and Daughters at home as a gift. I've only begun to read the opening chapters and it has brought back so many wonderful momories of my grandmother. She was my "craft" mentor. Mothers and Daughters is more than just a 'How to' book, for me it is a book of memories of a simpler time. I look forward to beginning my first project with my grandaughter!

When TV is so much fun (and easy to use to get a minute away) it's hard to pull my child away and have her expand her mind. My sister found this book for me and it has just turned my afternoons with my child around. I'm a stay at home mom and it's been hard to find new things for her to do to pass the time so she doesn't get bored of me.

This book has given us countless ideas of things to make, as well as tips at how to make the project come together and the supplies you will need. I have bought many books to get ideas on projects, and they seemed like things she'll end up making at school in a few years. "Mothers and Daughters" gives you great craft ideas that not only are fun to make, but fun to make together, and in many cases, help the child to make something that they will really cherrish for many years to come.

One craft in particular has become such a hit that my whole family has piched in with ideas. It's how to turn a simple scrap book or notebook into a cookbook. I now have many family members giving my daughter recipes to make at home and to include in her cookbook. She had lots of fun getting the supplies to make her book and each day, she wants to cook something to put in it. I know that this project will prepare her for many important aspects of life down the road, including fractions, writing skills, and trial and error.

Something else that is great with this book is that each section has a fun anecdote that pulls the book together so well, it's not just about crafts, it's about mother and daughter time (or as my mom says "Grandmother and grand-daughter time) that we take for granted in this busy world.

I recommend this book full-heartedly to any mother, step-mother, any woman for that matter that wants to have some real one on one time with a child they love and want to make memories that will last a lifetime. The only reason I didn't give this book a full 5 stars is because I wish it could have had more craft ideas and hope the writer does another book soon.

I have four daughters and even when they were very little we always made our own holiday gifts (napkin stamping, candle rolling, apple wreaths, little journals). My girls are now 15, 13, 12 and 11 and I've begun to run out of ideas! Charlotte Lyons book was given to me as a gift and I have been pouring over it ever since. For one thing, it is a stunningly pretty book to look at and for another, it has craft suggestions that I need -- from the good cheer fairy for the younger ones to the wallpockets for the older ones. They also look like ones I can handle. As my children get older they are certainly more creative but the time we have for such projects grows less and less. I don't think I am alone in bemoaning that fact! Anyway, I am confident that we will have mnay fun hours together this summer because of this book. I wish all of you the same good fortune.

Finally! A down-to-earth book that deals with real women, not Martha Stewart superhumans, and gives us a real purpose: spending time with the people we love most in the world -- our daughters -- instead of just making our houses beautiful. My 11 year old daughter and I drooled when we first saw the projects she suggests and couldn't wait to get started. And when we tried making one (the teddy bear is our favorite so far), I found her directions easy to follow and appreciated that she leaves room for individuality in every project. What I really liked is that this book is not just another "craft book" -- it's more like friendly advice on how to form a better relationship with our kids and that's something we all could use. I highly recommend Lyons's philosophy and this book!

Adam Story is a loner-type kid who is selected to participate in a secret round-the-world voyage. Mom thinks he's off at summer camp. Adam soon finds out that he's not the only 12 year old traveling around the world; he is in fact one of 24 contestants each backed by a wealthy displaced royal. Each team has a name, Adam's is "Magellan Voyage Project". Adults out there might be reminded of the 1980's movie "Gotcha!" in that there are operatives from each team who are out to stop the 12 year old "player" from opposing teams.

Anyway, Adam travels around the world, giving readers a taste of geography as we read about his adventures in each of the time zones he travels through. MVP manages to be very suspenseful without seeming scary. The flow of the book is perfect; fast moving and with an end in sight the whole time (Adam must return to his starting point in California in exactly 40 days). The writing is very descriptive; I could easily imagine this as a movie.

Plausible? Not really. But that's what makes it so fun. It's fantasty that in theory *could* happen and that makes a fun read for kids.

I'm reading this book because the back seemed interesting and I wanted to vote for the Nutmeg Award Winner. I'm a third grade girl, and while I still have to read all the other nominees, I would vote for this book. That is because this book is very interesting and I never want to put it down. It is very fun to imagine yourself in Adam's position, going around the world and all the challenges he faces. This is a really great book!

I read this book in fourth grade and it is definately the best book i've ever read! NOTE: i am only ten this is my mom's account.

This is the best adventure book I've ever read. I'm glad my teacher suggested that I read it. It's about a boy who tried to go around the world in 40 days. But there are many people who are trying to stop him. If you like traveling and adventure, MVP: Magellan Voyage Project is a book you should read.

I live in Connecticut and I saw this books was a nominee for the 2009 Nutmeg Award. It's about a 12-year-old boy who is challenged to circled the world in under forty day by taking only land and sea transportation. It's very unusual, very exciting, and one of those books that's easy to read and hard to put down.